Ministore launching system



June 11, 1968 R. F. KELLY ETAL MINISTORE LAUNCHING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheetl Filed Sept. 28, 1965 June 11, 1968 R. F. KELLY ETAL 3,387,536

MINISTORE LAUNCHING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 28, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 119INVENTORS RoEERT F. KELLY wALTER H. MYERS F/ 2 WILLIAM H. HAzLETTfJR,

g. LESTER Ro RT nRuM GEORGE A. MEER /y a ATTORNEYS June 11, 1968 R. F.KELLY ETAL MINISTORE LAUNCHING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2S,1965 GNN INVENTORS June 11,

Filed Sept.

R. F. KELLY vETAL MINISTORE LAUNCHING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 TO DRUMSHAFT 95h PORT IOI cAM swITcH 235 REvERsING +2638.- 230W MOTOR LsTARaOARD cAM swITcH l l l l l 'Y TO sPRDcKET wHEEL IO2 PORT LAuNcHPIRING SOLENOID +2ev.c o o Y PORT LAUNCH RELAY TIMINO svsTI-:M

Dc. I AuNcH PORT 27:5-2 2II7 ITI-7 y PORT PORT PORT PORT LAuNcHER CLAMPUNOLAMP OPEN a cLOsE MIcROswITcH SOLENOID SOLENOID DOOR SOLENOIDINVENTORS ORGE A. G MBER ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) 3,37,536MHNSTRE LAUNCHNG SYSTEM Robert F. Kelly, Doylestown, Walter H. Myers,Chalfont, William H. Hazlett, Er., Warrington, Lester Robert Drum,Southampton, and George A. Gimber, Hatboro, Pa., assigner-s to theUnited States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyFiled Sept. 28, 1965, Ser. No. 491,056 1@ Clmms. (Cl. S9-1.5)

ABSTRACT' F THE DISCLGSURE A launching system including a pair ofmagazines having inclined compartments each for receiving containerizedstores of a respective type. Each compartment of each magazine includesa selectively operable store ejection mechanism which, when operated,allows the lowermost store in that compartment to pass into a chute. Thechute includes a driven belt for controlling the lowering rate of anejected store and directs it to a selector mechanism for automaticallydiverting the store to a selected one of port and starbound launchers.Each launcher is operable to eject a store from its container and ejectthe empty container from the launcher.

Disclosure The invention described herein may be manufactured and usedby or for the Government of the United States of America forgovernmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon ortherefor.

The present invention relates to an automatic storelaunching system andmore particularly to a system for storing, handling and launching mixedloads of stores, such as those used in the detection of underwaterobjects.

Each antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft is equipped withvarious air-launched miniature equipments for use in meeting the varioustactical requirements which may exist in the detection of under waterobjects, such as submarines. These presently include, among others, theAN/SSQ-37 (XX-2) BUSS, the AN/SSQ-42 (XX-2) Miniature Sonobuoy and theAN/SSQ-46 (XX-1) Sonobuoy. It should be understood that these stores orequipments are of various sizes and many or all types may be used in asingle detection mission. The stores are hand dropped or retro-launchedfrom the conveying aircraft with use of the latter method necessitatinga number of complicated launching mechanisms, each used to handle aparticular store of a given size and configuration.

This unsophisticated approach to the stowage, handling and launching ofthe ASW stores gives rise to many problems, only some of which will bementioned here. First, the stores of the type discussed above include alarge amount of expensive and sensitive electronic apparatus. Theseequipments are presently packaged at the place of manufacture inexpendable storage and shipping containers. Prior to loading in theaircraft the equipments are removed from their shipping containers andare then stacked in storage areas within the aircraft to await removaltherefrom at the time of ultimate use. This operation necessitates anextreme degree of handling which, of course, reduces equipmentreliability due to the damage received thereby. When the equipments areremoved from the shipping and storage containers, they are exposed toambient conditons. To insure reliability thereof, the exposed equipmentmust be used within 30 to 6() days, depending upon the nature of theparticular equipment, after which time period the equipment isdestroyed. The satisfaction of the .above-stated out-of-container-liferequire- 3,387,536 Patented `iulne 11, 1968 f. ICC

ments has necessitated complexity in equipment design with itsconcomitant added cost and unreliability.

Second, an aircraft required to lbe equipped with a launcher for eachtype of store would have an intolerable additional Weight to carry whichwould severely reduce the operational performance of the aircraft.

To obviate the above-noted deleterious conditions, the present inventionin part discloses the use of a novel combination shipping, storage andlaunching container having a common form factor for use with the variousequipments presently known and utilized. The novel container seals theequipment therein and is provided with a cap at the forward end of thecontainer having provisions for receiving a propelling force to urge thestore or equipment from the container and a cap at the after end of thecontainer designed to separate therefrom when a predetermined amount offorce is exerted against it. The most significant advantage to berealized from adoption of the proposed container concept is in theincreased reliability of equipment housed therein. This is .broughtabout mainly by the elimination of the existing out-ofpackagerequirements for the various stores.

Presently a store is on loaded and o loaded yfrom an -aircraft manytimes. By this required shifting of the unpackaged store damage couldoccur by rough handling, accidental dropping or inadvertent exposure tothe elements. Therefore, by utilizing a sealed container as describedbelow, protection against rough handling, shock, vibration and exposureto the elements is obtained and greater reliability is inherentlyprovided.

Also, protection against corrosion and fungus is at a maximum when theequipment is in the novel sealed container. Although in current storesthe components are plated or coated with a protective medium, areas ofsurfaces subjected to abrasion when handled are potentially startingpoints for corrosive and fungus action when the store is out of thepackage.

A further advantage realized by employing this type container is that areduction in the manufacturing cost of the store can be realized. Thissaving is achieved primarily by eliminating the need for sealingbatteries, for potting of cable glands leading to sealed battery areasand for eliminating the speed brake release device as used on theAN/SSQ-42 and the AN/SSQ-37 equipments. Since assembly requirements aremore critical to achieve the sealing protection needed, the assemblycosts are reduced accordingly. There is realized also a cost saving dueto elimination of expensive protective finishes required for thepredetermined time out-of-package life.

In addition, the shipping, launching container is compatible with thepresently desired retro-launching concept which permits consistentdeployment of the speed brake. By eliminating the air-operated speedbrake release mechanisms the brake is allowed to immediately deploy uponejection from the tube thereby enhancing water placement accuracy.

Lastly, the combination shipping and launching container provides for asimplified launcher design also forming part of the present invention bypresenting t0 the launcher a package of common form factor regardless ofthe type store to be launched. This then allows not only a singlelauncher design for the existing stores but also eliminates the need fornew launcher designs or modification of existing launchers with thedevelopment of each new store.

The present invention further contemplates va novel automatic launchingsystem for handling mixed loads of miniature stores which systemembodies an expandable container for the store during storage, shipping,handling and launching. Each individual store is packaged at the pointof manufacture in a sealed container and the store is never removed fromthe container until it is driven out by a propelling force introduced atthe breech end. The launching system further embodies a magazinepositioned above the deck of the aircraft and loaded with storesenclosed in the shipping-launching containers. The packaged stores areprearranged in multiple tiers. The number of storage layers or tiers canbe varied depending upon space availability, weight limitations andairplane mission protile. The tactical coordinator or a tacticalcomputer can electronically select and summon a packaged store from anytier. Thereafter, the package is delivered to a rotary selector and apressure seal below deck will pass the package from the pressurizedcondition when in the fuselage to the atmospheric condition in the portor starboard pod located below the turbulent boundary of the fuselageouter shell. The launch attitude is nose forward. Therefore, the storetrajectory follows the airplane iiight path. A few seconds after thestore is launched from the package the empty -cylinder is expelledthrough a pair of doors on the undersurface of the pod to complete theautomated cycle. This arrangement and method have been demonstrated toprovide optimum aerodynamic stability and water placement accuracysufficient for ASW tactics.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system capable oflaunching stores from an aircraft.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automaticsystem capable of launching mixed loads of stores from an aircraft in areliable, fast and efficient manner.

A further object is to provide an expendable container for housing anequipment which must be launched prior to the use thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a sealedcontainer which will protect the equipment contained therein duringstorage, shipment and handling thereof and at the same time provide adevice for launching the contained equipment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sealedcombination storage, shipping and launching container of common formfactor for enveloping Various types and sizes of stores to provideshock, vibration and other forms of rotection to the equipment containedtherein during storage, shipment and handling thereof and at the sametime to provide a device for launching these equipments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved devicefor launching stores from a moving aircraft.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improveddevice for launching stores in a horizontal position with an initialvelocity from a moving aircraft.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved launching device for ejecting stores from any sealed launchingcontainer and for ejecting the latter from the aircraft upon thelaunching of the store in a rapid and reliable manner.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedselector mechanism for transferring a store from a pressurized area onthe aircraft to the unpressurized launching area on the aircraft in asafe, reliable and rapid manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a magazinefor storing, selecting and handling the store.

Stlil another object of the present invention is to provide a magazinefor storing, selecting and handling of equipments contained therein andfor transferring the store to another position with .a minimum of shockand vibration.

These and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art as the disclosure is made in thefollowing description of an embodiment of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a partial cross sectional View of the novelcombination, storage and launching container with the breech blockportion of a launcher assembly adjacent thereto;

FIG. 2 represents an end view, partially in cross secand with partsbroken away, of a portion of an automatic launching system according tothe invention;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged View of an ejection mechanism shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 represents a side view with parts broken away of a launcher foruse with the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 represents a cross-sectional view taken substantially along aline5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 represents an enlarged, detailed view of a sliding blockmechanism partially shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic and block diagram of a Control system for aselector mechanism shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic and block diagram of a port launching controlsystem for the launcher of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, a package generally indicated at 10including a container 11 and a store 12 contained therein is illustratedadjacent a breech block 190, to be more fully described below. Breechblock 190 forms a portion of a launching mechanism for ejecting thestore 12 from the container 11. The launcher 120 per se forms a part ofthe present invention and a detailed description will be provided below.

The container 11 encapsulates the store 12 and functions as a storageand shipping container as well as a vehicle from which the store 12 maybe launched. The container 11 includes a right circular cylinder 11asealed at the fore and aft ends thereof by caps 13 and 14,respective-ly.

The cylinder 11a, per se, may be constructed of any appropriate highstrength-to-weight ratio material such as aluminum or other sheet metal,polycarbonate, polyvinyl, polypropylene, resin impregnated felt, paperlaminate, and filament winding. The caps 13 and 14 may be constructedfrom any strong, sheerablc7 and impervious material such as a phenolicresin, or the like.

In order to negate the possibility of the package 10 jamming in thelauncher passages, the caps 13 and 14 have been provided with sphericalend surfaces 13a and 14a, respectively. Adjacent the extreme edge of cap13, the spherical surface 13a terminates in sharper angular surface 13b.

rhe aft end of cylinder 11a is also formed with a sharp angular edge orsurface 11b. These surfaces, together with complementary surfaces on thelaunching mechanism, such as surface 193 on `breech block 190, serve toguide and properly position the package 10 within the launcher. In orderto hermetically seal the store 12 within the container 11, the forwardcap 13 is bonded to the cylinder 11a by a cement 15 of appropriatematerial and characteristics known and used in the art.

As viewed in FIGURE 1, the propelling force for ejecting and launchingthe store 12 from the cylinder 11a is supplied by a pneumatic source ofpressure. The breech block receives a source of pneumatic pressurethrough conduit 191 and includes a tapered nose portion 192 forming aseal with an O-ring 16 when the package is moved by the launcher towardthe breech block 190. O-ring 16 is seated within a groove 13e formed onthe spherical surface 13a of cap 13. A cylindrical section 13d forms anintegral part of cap 13 and is sealed at the aft end thereof by afrangible seal 13e which is also formed ntegrally with the forward cap13 and of the nature to rupture when a predetermined, preset force isapplied thereto.

In order to provide consistent ejection of the store 12, a pistongenerally noted at 17 is provided. Piston 17 is of dish-likeconfiguration and includes a circumferential skirt or sealing edge 17aand a base 17b. A plurality of rods 17C are formed integrally with andextend beyond the confines of sealing edge 17a from base 17b forengaging the edge of cylindrical portion 13d of forward cap 13. Whenpiston 17 is placed in the operative position with the dished portionfacing forwardly, the rods 17c abut cylindrical portion 13d and theskirt or sealing edge 17a is spaced from cap 13y to prevent damagethereto. The skirt 17a engages the inner side walls of cylinder 11a andforms a seal therewith for preventing the escape' of the pressuregenerated for launching the store 12.

A forward spacer element generally noted at 18 is interposed betweenpiston 17 and store 12 for properly positioning the center of lgravityof store 12 within the container 1G and to give radial support fromshock and vibration to the store 12. The size and configuration ofspacer 1S depends upon the nature and size of the store to be interposedwithin container 10. The forward spacer element 18 includes a forwardconvex surface 13a for engaging the base 17b of piston 17 and a rearwardor aft facing surface 18b of concave configuration for receiving thespherical nose of the store 12. The outer extremities of surfaces 18aand 1817 are bounded by an annular rim 18C having a diametersubstantially the same as the inner diameter of cylinder 11a. Spacer 18is diametrically split at 18d to form two equal segments. By reason ofthis arrangement the adverse effects upon the aerodynamic stability ofthe store is eliminated since a positive separation of the spacer andpiston from the store will occur simultaneously with ejection of thestore from the launcher.

Store 12 is of the type described above and includes speed or divebrakes 12a at the rear thereof for retarding the descent of the store.The speed or dive brakes may be of the type illustrated in U.S. PatentNo. 3,047,259, issued to G. I. Tatnall and A. F. Scarcelli for SpeedBrake Retarding Mechanism for an Air Dropped Store on July 31, 1962, andPatent No. 3,114,315, issued to W. E. Trump for Dive Brake on Dec. 17,1963.

An aft spacer generally noted at 19 is interposed between the store 12and the aft cap 14 for purposes of shock mitigation and storepositioning. The spacer 19 includes forward and aft disks 19a ofFiberglas or the like, bonded to a plurality of cushioning elements 1gbinterposed therebetween. Although two cushioning elements 1'9b areillustrated in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the number of theseelements would depend upon the size of the store positioned within thecontainer 11. The cushioning elements 1gb are constructed of aresilient, compressible and shock absorbing material such as siliconesponge rubber or the like, and the individual cushioning elements arebonded together to preclude slipping with respect to each other. Thespacer element 19 thereby constructed both cushions and protects theenclosed store 12 against impact and vibration. By selection ofappropriate spacer thickness, the store 12 may also be positioned sothat the center of gravity of the package 19 will be properly located.This is important to provide the launcher 120 with a package of commonform factor regardless of the type store in the container 11.

The aft cap 14 is formed with an outer annular rim 14b which in turnincludes an annular projection 14e and an adjacent annular groove 14dfor-med on the exterior surface thereof. Cylinder 11a has an interiornotch 11C therein compatible with the projection 14e formed on cap 14for obtaining a snap-lock fastening of the cap 14 to the cylinder 11a.The notch 11e and projection 14e are designed to permit separation ofthe cap from the cylinder when a predetermined amount of force isexerted against the cap. An O-ring 20 positioned within groove 14d sealsthe container and thereby eliminates breathing of the container withvariation of aircraft altitude. Furthermore, the store 12 containedtherein is thereby protected against moisture, corrosion and fungus. Inorder to insure uniform application of ejection forces to the aft cap14, a plurality of rods 14e formed integrally as part of cap 14 extendforwardly and abut disk 19a. The rim 1412 also extends forward to aposition abutting the disk 19a. It should be understood that the aft cap14 could also be bonded to cylinder 11a in a manner similar to thatshown by forward cap 13 and cylinder 11a, above, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

In operation, the package 10 is positioned within the launcher and urgedforwardly, as will be described below, against -breech block 190. Matingand complementary surfaces 13b and 193 position the package 1t) withrespect ot the breech block and continued forward movement of thepackage 1l) causes the tapered nose portion 192 on breech block 199 toengage and form a seal with the O-ring seal 15. Pneumatic pressure froman appropriate source -is then passed through the conduit 191. When asuicient preset and predetermined pressure is admitted, the frangibleseal ruptures. The ensuing pressure then exerts a force against thepiston 17 which transmits the same through the store 12 and spacer 19 toremove the aft cap 14 and permit free ejection of the store 12 from thecontainer 11. Simultaneous with the ejection of the store 12 from thelauncher, forward spacer 18 insures separation of the spacer and pistonfrom the ste-re and eliminates any adverse aerodynamic effects on thestability of the store that might otherwise occur.

In addition to the package 10 being sealed, the container may be filledwith a dry inert gas, evacuated, or packaged and sealed in an atmosphereof controlled temperture and humidity.

In View of the novel container described above, a store may be protectedand sealed from external deteriorating environmental forces and may bemaintained in this condition until use thereof. Furthermore, the novelcontainer described above provides a package of common from factorregardless of the type store placed in the container, this beingobtained through the use of spacers which additionally provide shockinsulation to the store contained within the package. Also, properutilization of the spacers permits within an allowable range a commoncenter of gravity location for the package. This allows not only asingle launcher design for t-he -various stores now in use `but for allfuture stores .as well and eliminates the need for new launcher designsor modification of existing launchers with the development of each newstore. In addition, the container is compatible with the retrolaunchingconcept now utilized for launching airborne stores which concept permitsconsistent deployment of the speed brake. By eliminating theair-operated speed brake release mechanisms, as is accomplished by thenovel container, the brake is allowed to immediately deploy uponejection from the launching tube, thereby enhancing placement accuracy.

Refe ring now to FIG. 2, a portion of the automatic launching systemgenerally indicated at 36 is illustrated as supported on the deck D ofan aircraft, not shown. A portion of the launching system extendsbetween the deck D of the aircraft and the skin S of the same whileanother portion (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) extends below the skin S 0f theaircraft. In particular, the launching system 30 illustrated in FIG. 2includes a magazine generally indicated at 40 constructed of a pair ofparallel side walls 41a and 41h between which extends a series ofsloping trays or racks 42 appropriately secured to the sidewalls 41a and411;. The resulting chambers 43 formed by the trays 42 and sidewalls4in-41h serve as the storage area for the packages 10. It should beunderstood that although one side of the magazine showing the internalmechanisms thereof is illustrated in FIG. 2, similar construction isfound on the other side of the magazine 40.

Storage chambers 43 terminate at their inboard ends with closures 44awhich are pivotally connected to the sidewalls 41a and 41b at the top oftheir respective cha-mbers 43. Storage chambers 43 terminate at theiroutboard ends in loading doors 44b. 'It should be observed that whenclosures 44a are in the closed position the lower marginal edges thereofabut the adjacent trays 42 thereby permitting the closures 44a to onlyswing inboard of the magazine thereby providing a relatively dat Wallwhich 7 forms the sidewall of a central vertical chute, generally notedat 45.

A motor 46 is appropriately secured within the magazine 40 and throughgears 46a and 47a, associated drive rollers 46b and 47!) and idlerrollers 46c and 47e drives belts 4S of soft rubberlike material, such aspolyurethane or the like, which are arranged with the outboard sidesthereof spaced from the wall formed by closures 44a a distance slightlyless than the diameter of the package 10. In operation, the package isejected from the storage area 43 and is squeezed between the soft beltface and the fixed face of the chute during downward movement of theformer thereby lowering the package 10. This operation requires nosynchronization and obtains positive control of the lowering rate of thecontainer. The package 10 is released at the bottom of the =belt run andthe package iti rolls down the inclined bottom surface 49 of thevertical chute 45 into the pressure-tight rotary selector 90 to bedisclosed and discussed below.

A kicker or ejection mechanism generally noted at Sil, is utilized toeject the package 10 from its position within the storage area 43 andwill now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The solid lineposition ot' FIG. 3 illustrates the various elements of the ejectionmechanism 50 in the cocked or holding position prior to ejection withthe inboard package 10a and the outboard package 10b held in theirrespective positions by kicker plate 5S and treadle arm 72,respectively. The broken line position of FIG. 3 illustrates the variouselements of the ejection mechanism 50 during various stages of theoperation thereof and does not reflect the position thereof at any oneinstant in time.

The latch mechanism 50 includes a solenoid actuated air cylinder 51, apiston rod 52 and an actuator arm 53 secured to the piston rod 52. Anelongated lost motion slot 54 is formed in the actuator arm 53 andreceives an outwardly extending actuator pin 55 which is formed as anintegral part of an actuator lever 56. Lever 56 is rigidly connectedthrough pin 57 to a kicker plate 58, the latter serving to restrainrotation of the container 10a `and alternatively serving to eject thecontainer 16a from the storage area 43. Kicker plate 53 includes a pin59 for cooperation with a kicker plate latch, generally noted at 60, forlatching the kicker plate 58 in the restraining or solid line positionof FIG. 3.

Kicker plate latch 60 is pivotal about fixed pin 61 and includes a latcharm 62 which engages the pin 59 on the kicker plate 58. A lock actuatorarm 63 is formed as part of the latch 60 and is engaged by a spring 64which urges latch 60 in a clockwise direction. Lock actuator arm 63includes a camming surface 65 engageable by actuator arm 53 to urgelatch 60 against the action of spring 64 thereby urging latch arm 62 outof engagement with pin 59.

An angularly shaped treadle 70 including an inboard container engagingarm 71 and an outboard container engaging arm 72 is pivotally connectedto sidewall 41a through rotatable shaft 73 which additionally has atreadle lever 74 rigidly secured thereto for movement therewith. Aspring member 75 secured by spring anchor 76 to sidewall 41a is attachedto the treadle lever 74 and urges the same and treadle 70 to rotateabout shaft 73 in a clockwise direction. During various stages of theoperation of the mechanism the treadle 70 is precluded from thisclockwise rotation by either the weight of the container `10a resting onarm 71 or by a treadle latch 80 now to be described.

Treadle latch S0 is pivotally connected intermediate the length thereofto sidewall 41a through pivot pin 81. A spring 82 connected to a springanchor 83 secured to the wall 41a and connected to the treadle latch`l5() urges the latter in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG.3. The upper portion 84 of the treadle latch 80 abuttingly engages theactuator pin 55 and is precluded thereby `from rotation in theaforementioned counterclockwise direction until the pin 55 moves asindicated by the broken line position thereof. Treadle latch includes alower portion 85 adapted for engagement with a treadle pin 77 extendingoutwardly from the treadle lever 74. Engagement of pin 77 with the lowerportion `85 of the latch 80 precludes clockwise rotation of the treadlelever 74 and the associated treadle 70.

In operation, the various elements of the ejection mechanism 50 assumethe solid line condition which is the battery or fully retractedposition. When this position is assumed the following conditions exist:the actuator arm 53 is out of engagement with camming surface 65; arm 72engages container 10b and thereby precludes the container 1Gb frommoving downwardly; container lila rests on arm 71 and is held in theholdback position by kicker plate 58; and, the lower portion 35 oftreadle latch 80 is disengaged from pin 77 of the treadle lever 74. Inorder to eject container 10a from chamber 43 the air cylinder 51 isactuated thereby urging piston rod 52 and associated actuator arm 53toward an inboard position. Initial movement of actuator arm 53 does notaffect the position of actuator pin 55 because of the elongated lostmotion slot 54. However, during this initial movement, actuator arm 53engages the camming surface 65 of latch 60 thereby disengaging latch arm62 from pin S9. Continued movement of actuator arm 53 toward the dottedline position 53a causes the actuator lever 56 and the associated kickerplate 58 to rotate in a clockwise direction. When actuator arm 53reaches dotted line position 53b, kicker plate 58 is in position `58!)and the store has been ejected from the chamber 43. During inboardmovement of the actuator arm 53 and pin 55 the upper portion S4 of thetreadle latch 80 follows pin 55 and the treadle latch 8l) therebyrotates in a counterclockwise direction due to the urging of spring 82.`Counterclockwise rotation of treadle latch 80 causes the bottom portion85 thereof to engage the treadle pin 77 and to preclude the lever 74 andthe associated treadle 70 from rotating in a clockwise direction towardthe dotted line position 70C when the container 10a is ejected andthereby no longer provides a restraining force on treadle arm 71. Whenthe actuator arm assumes the dotted line position 53b, the latch, kickerplate, and treadle lever also assume the illustrated dotted linepositions 60a, 50h and 80b, respectively. Upon retraction of theactuator arm 53 to the solid line position the kicker plate S8 and latcharm 62 are rotated to the solid line positions wherein latch arm 62engages the pin 59 on the kicker plate 58. During this retracting actionthe pin 55 engages the upper portion S4 of the treadle latch 80 and thelower portion 85 is cammed out of engagement with shaft 77. This unlocksthe treadle lever 86 and associated treadle 70 and permits theaforementioned element to assume the dotted line position 70C. Upon themovement of the treadle to the dotted position 70e, the container 10b,heretofore restrained from downward and inboard movement by the treadlearm 72, moves downwardly and because of the weight thereof urges thetreadle arm from the dotted line position shown at 71b to the solid lineposition. Treadle arm 72 is then in a position to engage a container10c, not shown. At this stage all of the elements of the ejectionmechanism 50 are again in the battery or fully retracted position.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the ejected container is carried by `belt 48to the inclined Walls 49 of the magazine 4t) and is deposited in -thepressure tight rotary Selector mechanism 90. The selector mechanism 90is composed of a housing 91 secured by flanges 92 to flanges 49a on themagazine 4G. Except for the slot formed between flanges 92 and chutes 93and 94 formed by the housing 91, the housing 91 completely encloses arotating drum .'95 which includes a forward positioning bulkhead, not

shown, and an aft positioning bulkhead 95a. A pair of package receivingchambers 96 are formed within and extend the length of the drum 95.

In order to pass the package from the pressurized condition when in thefuselage to the atmospheric condition in the port or starboard pod.illustrated in FIGS. 4, and 6, the housing 91 and rotating drum 95 areprovided with air seals between the outer surface of the drum 95 and theinner surface of the housing 91. The sealing is accomplished rby alining 97 secured to the inner surface of the housing 91 along theentire len-gth thereof and a lining 98 appropriately secured to thesurfaces of drum 95, each of the aforementioned linings beingconstructed of a Teflon-coated elastometer or the like secured by anappropriate adhesive, such as an epoxy resin adhesive, or the like. Thedrum 95 is rotated by `a reversing motor 101, described below, throughan associated shaft 95h and appropriate gearing, not shown, to obtainalternate delivery of containers from their repository chambers 96through chutes 93 and 94.

The rotary selector 90 transfers the containers from the magazinesection 40 through one of the chutes 93 or 94 to a distributor unit,generally noted at 100. Distributor 100 includes a reversing motor 101and a double sprocket Wheel 162 associated therewith. Drive chains 103aand 103b are driven -by sprocket Wheel 102 and they in turn drive a pairof double sprocket wheels 104e and 104b which are journaled for rotationabout xed shafts 105a and 105b, respectively. A second .pair of drivechains 106a and 106b engage the sprocket Wheels 104:1 and 10417,respectively, and they in Iturn drive idler wheels 107a and 10717,respectively. Cradles 108e and 108b are secured to the drive chains 106aand 106b and are movable therewith 'between the inboard position beneathchutes 93 and 94, respectively, to yan outboard position (shown bycradle 10821) adjacent .pylons 118. Cradles 108a and 108]: areconstructed to receive container 10 and upon reaching the outboardposition to deposit the container 10 into a passageway 119 formed withinthe pylon 11S. Appropriately positioned lim-it switches, not shown, areutilized to reverse ythe rotation of the motor 101 after the cradles108a and 108b have moved to ltheir extreme outboard position adjacentthe .passageway 119.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 there is shown illustrated thereinone of an existing pair of launching pods generally noted at 120 whichare located on the fuselage of the aircraft, not shown, outside of theskin line S and which are connected to the fuselage by the pylon 118. Itis understood that the pylon 118 is properly aerodynamically streamlinedand is internally dimensioned to permit the container 10 to pass fromthe distributor 100 to the launching pod or launcher 120. Pod orlauncher 120 includes la cylindrical center section 121 having anopening 122 located at the top thereof having communication with thepassageway 119 of the pylon 118 and of a length slightly larger than thelength of the container 10. The bottom of the cylindrical section 121comprises a pair of lpivoting ejection doors 123, each of which issupported 'by and appropriately secured to a series of arcuate doorsupport ribs 124. Each rib is rigidly secured to door support shafts125, the ends of which are a-ppropritely journaled within fore and aftbulkheads 126 and 127 positioned .at the ends of the cylindricalcenteral member 121. These bulkheads 126 and 127 serve to support a nosecone 128 and tail cone 129, respectively, within which are located thevarious mechanisms to be described below for positioning, clamping,firing and opening the doors 123 for ejecting the empty package.

As viewed in FIG. 5, the door opening mechanism generally indicated at130, includes a solenoid actuated cylinder and piston rod assembly 131secured to the bulkhead 126, the rod having an actuator member 132pivotally secured to a toggle plate 140. Toggle plate 140 in turn isrotatably connected to bulkhead 126 through a toggle plate shaft 141.Plate additionally includes a lost motion slot -142 to permit therotation of the toggle plate `140 from the solid line position to thedotted line position shown. A crank member is pivotally connected tobulkhead 126 through crank shaft 151 and is of triangular configurationhaving a crank pin 152 at an apex extending into the lost motion slot142 of toggle plate 140. A link member is pivotally connected at one endthereof to another apex of crank member 150 and a similar link member161 is pivotally secured to the other apex of the triangular crank 150.The other ends of the link members 160 and 151 are .pivotally connectedto one end of motion transmitting arms and 171, respectively, while theother ends of these arms 170-171 are xedly secured to door supportshafts 125 for the purpose of transmitting rotational movement thereto.

It is therefore readily observed yfrom FG. 5 that outward movement ofthe actuator 132 causes the toggle plate 140 to rotate in a clockwisedirection about toggle plate pin 141 to the dotted line position shown.This movement causes the crank plate member 150 to rotate in acounterclockwise position about shaft 151 to the dotted line positionshown. This urges link member 160 and associated motion transmitting arm170 to move in a clockwise direction 'to thereby open the door 123 andurges the link member 161 and associated motion transmitting arm 171 tomove in `a counterclockwise direction toward the dotted line position toopen the door 123.

As may be viewed with reference to FIGS. l and 4, a Ibreech block issecured 4to the forward bulkhead 125 and receives a source of pneumaticpressure through conduit 191 and further includes a tapered nose portion192 forming a seal with the O-ring 16 when `the package is moved intoengagement with lthe breech block 190 by the sliding block 205 to bedescribed below. Beveled surfaces 193 lare additionally formed on thebreech block 190 and are complementary lto the surfaces 13b of the cap13 for the purpose of guiding and properly positioning the package 10within the launching mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the aft bulk head 127 is illustrated ashaving an aperture 201 therethrough having a diameter slightly largerthan the outside diameter of the package or container 10. A cylindricalmember 202 in registration with the aperture 201 acts as a housing for asliding clamp mechanism 205. As viewed in FIG. 6, the cylindrical memberalso serves as a housing for the forward end of the launch tube 220. Thesliding clamp 205 includes a beveled peripheral surface 205a forcomplementary engagement with the beveled surface 11b of the package 10to properly position the same within the launcher 120.

FIG. 6 illustrates the actuating mechanism, generally noted at 210, formoving the sliding clamp 205 between an extended position wherein theclamp 205 engages the package 10 and urges the aft end thereof into thebreech block 190 and the retracted position thereof wherein the emptypackage may be ejected through the doorway formed by the ejection doorsl123. The ejection or actuating mechanism 210 includes a solenoidactuated cylinder and piston rod assembly 211 having an actuator end 212pivotally connected t0 one apex of a triangular toggle lever generallyindicated at 213. Toggle lever 213 is pivoted at another apex aboutshaft 262a extending outwardly from the housing 202 and includes atoggle link 214 pivotally connected to the other apex thereof. Anactuating lever 215 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to a xedbracket 216 secured to the bulkhead 127. The other end of the actuatinglever includes a lost motion slot 215e which engages a sliding clamp pin205b which is formed as an integral part of the sliding clamp 20S andwhich extends outwardly beyond an elongated, longitudinally extendingslot 202g formed in the housing 202. The aforementioned toggle link 214has the other end thereof pivotally connected intermediate the length ofthe actuating lever 215 and upon clockwise movement of the toggle lever213 urges the actuating lever 215 to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection about the pin 216a and thereby urge the sliding clamp pin205]; and the associated sliding clamp 205 to the dotted line positionsshown. This inboard movement causes the outer peripheral 'and taperededge of clamp 205 to engage and position the container and to urge thesame against the breech block 190 and the conduit 191.

In operation, the package 10 drops through the passageway 119 of thepylon '|118 and into the launcher 120 and rests against the door supportribs 124. Upon actuation thereof the sliding clamp 205 moves inwardly toengage the container 10 and urge the same against the breech blockassembly 190. Upon iiring of the package 10 the actuating mechanism 210retracts the sliding clamp 205 and the door opening mechanism 130 isactuated to eject the empty container from the launcher 120.

Referring now to FIG. 7 for a more detailed description of theinterrelationship between the rotation of both the drum 95 and thecradles 108a and 1081; there is illustrated a port cam switch 225 and astarboard cam switch 230 each connected to a source of electrical energy235. The port cam switch 225 is located in one of the chambers 96 whilethe starboard cam switch 230 is located in the other chamber 96 of thedrum 95. Each of the cam switches 225 and 4230 is electrically connectedto the reversing motor 101 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. Reversing motor101 in turn is mechanically coupled to the drum shaft 95h and to thesprocket wheel 102 located in the distributor 100. Appropriate gearing,not shown, is interconnected between the latter elements to provide anarrangement whereby the port cradle 10311 is positioned beneath the portchamber 96 when the latter is in alignment with chute 93 to receive thefalling container 10. As indicated above, when the cradle 10811 is inthis 'aligned position the cradle 108b assumes the discharging positionillustrated in FIG. 2. Similarly the gearing is so arranged that whenthe starboard chamber 96 is in alignment with the chute 94 the cradle10811 is in alignment therewith to receive any package 10 fallingtherein. It is further understood that when this position is assumed,the cr'adle 103a will be in the discharging position adjaccnt thepassageway 119.

The operation of the above elements is now described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 7: an ejected package 10 is conveyed downwardly into theawaiting starboard chamber 96, passing through the same and causing theactuation of the starboard cam switch 230. This causes the reversingmotor to rotate the drum 95 in a clockwise direction and the cradle 108bto move to a position in alignment with chute 94. When the starboardchamber 96 is in alignment with the cuhte 94, the cradle 108b is inalignment with chute 94 and the package 10 falls from the chamber intothe awaiting cradle 10811. The movement of the package 1G from thestarboard chamber 96 engages the cam switch 230 and cams the same to theoli position thereby deenergizing the reversing motor 101 and preventingfurther rotation of drum 95. At this juncture port chamber 96 is in aposition to receive another package 10 from the magazine. The succeedingpackage which enters the port chamber 96 cams the cam switch 225 to theon position causing the reversing motor to be energized and therebyrotating the drum 95 in a eounterclockwise direction. `IConcurrentlywith the counterclockise movement of the drum 95, the cradle 108a movestowards an aligned position beneath the chute 93 and the cradle 108bmoves toward the discharging position adjacent the passageway 119. Uponthe alignment of the port chamber 96 and the chute 93 the package 10falls from the former and thereby engages the cam switch 225 to cam thesame to the off position to deenergize the motor 101 and to precludefurther movement of the drum and cradle 108a and 108b. `It

should be observed that the starboard chamber 96 is again in a positionto receive the succeeding ejected package. Also, it is understood thatthe motor 101 can be manually energized by a separate circuit in orderto move the cradle when no subsequent store is positioned within theready chamber to cam the camming switch and energize the motor 101.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the schematic diagram illustrated thereinrelates to the circuitry utilized in the launching from the portlauncher of the store from the container 11. It is understood that asimilar arrangement is utilized to launch stores from the starboardlauncher, not shown, and that a combination of the two arrangementscould be utilized for the simultaneous launching from port and starboardpods. In FIG. 8 a port launch switch 260 is electrically interconnectedbetween a power source and both a port -launch tiring solenoid 265 and aport launch relay timing system 270, the former functioning to permitthe source of pneumatic pressure to pass through conduit 191 to the cap13 of package 10. See FIGS. 1 and 4. The relay timing system in turn iselectrically coupled to the unclamping side of solenoid 211 while theclamping side of solenoid 211 is connected to a source of power througha microswitch 275 appropriately located within the cylindrical portion121 of the launcher 120 to sense the presence of a package 10 within thelauncher 120. A port open and close door solenoid 131 is alsoelectrically connected to the relay timing system 270 for the purpose ofoperating the door actuating mechanism of FIG. 5.

In operation, the presence of a package 10 within the launcher 120energizes the microswitch 275 which, in turn, actuates the solenoid 211to cause the sliding clamp 205 to push the package 10 against the breechblock 190. (See FIG. 4.) When the operator pushes switch 260 the tiringsolenoid 265 is actuated allowing the pneumatic energy to rupture theseal 13C on the package 10 and eject the store from the same.Immediately thereafter, due to the relay timing system 270, the solenoid211 is again actuated to unclamp the empty package 10. A short intervalthereafter solenoid 131 is actuated to first open and then close thedoors 123.

In summary, the operation of the launching system 30 is as follows: Amultiple position selector switch, not shown, is manually positioned bythe operator to select the particular storage area 43 housing thedesired stores. Actuation of this selector switch energizes the solenoidactuated air cylinder and piston 51-52 of FIGS. 2 and 3 which in turneject the package 10 from storage area 43. Continuously moving belts 48engage the ejected package 10 and convey the Same into the chamber 96 ofthe drum 95. Movement of the package 10 into this chamber actuates oneof the cam switches which energizes the motor 101 to rotate the drum 95,the pressure seals thereon maintaining the magazine area under pressure.Concurrently, the appropriate cradle is moved into position to receivethe package 10 as its falls from the chamber and passes through thechute. This cams the cam switch to the ol position and stops the motor101. A subsequent package passing into the ready chamber similarlyenergizes the motor 101 which moves the cradle outwardly to dischargethe package into the passageway 119 of pylon 118. When the package dropsinto the launcher 120, the `microswitch 275 is actuated which energizesthe clamping solenoid 211. This moves the sliding clamp into engagementwith the package 10 and moves the latter against the breech block 190.Actuation of switch 260 causes the tiring of the store 12 out of thecontainer 11 and out of the launcher 120 through launch tube 220. Thesolenoid 211 is again energized to release the empty container 11whereupon solenoid 131 opens the doors 123 which eject the container 11and immediately thereafter close the same.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials,steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described andillustrated in order to 13 explain the nature of the invention, may bemade by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for handling packaged stores and for launching the storesfrom their packages comprising:

a magazine lfor storing the packaged stores including a plurality ofIloading doors, a corresponding plurality of discharge doors, and traysextending between each corresponding loading and discharge door forreceiving the packaged stores;

means on said magazine for selectively releasing and ejecting a selectedpackaged store from said magazine;

a plurality of launching means for discharging the store from thepackage and for ejecting the empty package;

selector means for selectively transferring the packaged store into oneof said plurality of launching means; and

conveyor means including a continuously moving belt running parallel tosaid discharge doors and being spaced therefrom a distance slightly lessthan the diameter of the packaged stores, said belt being constructed ofa soft rubber-like material for engaging a package released from saidmagazine and conveying the same toward said selector means.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said magazine and saidconveyor means are enclosed in a pressurized compartment, and

said selector means having -pressure seals thereon for maintaining saidcompartment pressurized while transferring the packaged store from saidconveyor to said launching means.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said selector meansincludes:

a housing;

said housing having a first slot means therein communicating with saidpressurized compartment and configured to permit passage of the packagedstore therethrough, said housing further including a second slot meanscommunicating with said launcher and configured to permit the passage ofthe packaged store therethrough;

a drum rotatably mounted within said housing;

a plurality of package-receiving chambers formed within and about theperiphery of said drum;

and sealing means bet-Ween said drum and said housing for maintainingsaid compartment pressurized while transferring the packaged storetherefrom.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said launcher includes:

a cylindrical member having an elongated aperture in the upper wallthereof configured to permit the passage of the packaged storetherethrough and a pair of discharge doors forming the bottom wall ofsaid cylinder;

bulkheads positioned at each end of said cylindrical member;

a breach block within one of said bulkheads for positioning one end ofthe packaged store and for providing an ejection force thereto;

and a sliding clamp associated with the other of said bulkheads -forengaging the other end of the packaged store and urging said one endagainst said breach block.

5. A launching system for handling packaged stores of different typesand for launching a store of a selected type from its packagecomprising:

a magazine having a plurality of compartments each for storing packagedstores all of the same respective type;

a plurality of ejection means each operatively connected to a respectivesaid magazine compartment for selectively releasing and ejecting apackaged store of a predetermined type from said respective magazinecompartment, said ejection means being actuatable in any order forreleasing stores; y

chute means positioned to receive ejected packaged stores selectivelyreleased from any of said magazine compartments;

a plurality of launching means for discharging a given store both lfromits package and from said launching means and for ejecting the emptypackage thereof; and

selector means communicating with said chute means for receiving apackaged store ejected into said chute means and for transferring thepackaged store received to a selected one of said plurality of launchingmeans.

6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein said chute means includesmeans for controlling the lowering rate of an ejected store.

7. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said magazinecompartments include:

a loading door;

a discharge door; and

an inclined tray extending between the said loading and discharge doorsfor receiving the packaged stores of a given type.

8. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said ejection meanscomprises:

a kicker plate pivotally mounted in said respective compartment adjacentsaid discharge door and movable between store retaining and storeejecting positions;

first latching means having a release operating member and connected tosaid ymagazine for normally latching said picker plate in said storeretaining position; and

actuator means including an actuator arm connected to said kicker plate,said actuator arm being movable from a lirst position to a secondposition for actuating said release operating member to cause therelease of said kicker plate and for moving said kicker plate to saidstore ejecting position.

9. The system as deiined in claim 8 wherein each said ejection meansfurther comprises:

a treadle member pivotally connected to said magazine adjacent arespective said tray in spaced relation to said kicker plate, saidtreadle having a first arm movable to a first position for holding astore and to a second position for releasing a store and having a secondarm engageable by a store released by said first arm for moving saidfirst arm to said rst position; and

second latching means having a release operating member and connected tosaid magazine yfor normally latching said treadle member with said firstarm in said first position;

said actuator arm further being retractable from said second position toa third position for actuating said release operating member of saidsecond latching means to release said treadle member.

10. A launching system for handling packaged stores of different typesand for launching a store of a selected type from its packagecomprising:

a magazine having a plurality of compartments -for storing the packagedstores of different types, each of said magazine compartments includinga loading door, a discharge door and an inclined tray extending betweensaid loading and discharge doors for receiving the packaged stores of agiven type;

means operatively connected to said magazine compartments forselectively releasing and ejecting a packaged store from said magazinecompartments;

a plurality of launching means for discharging a given store both fromits package and lfrom said launching means and for ejecting the emptypackage thereof;

selector means for transferring a packaged store to a selected one ofsaid launching means; and

chute means communicating with said selector means and positioned toreceive packaged stores selectively released from any of said magazinecompartments including a continuously moving belt running parallel tosaid discharge doors of said compartments and being spaced therefrom adistance slightly less than the diameter of the packaged stores, saidbelt being constructed of a soft rubber-like material for engaging thepackaged store received and conveying same toward said selector means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Eastman 89-1.804 Bobco et al.89-155 X Soderquist 89-33 Dragonett et al. 89-L804 Palmer 89-33 Linke89-1.803 Wassel et al 89-33 X `SAMUEL W. ENGLE, Primary Examiner.

